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By Steve Agbota
The Sea Empowerment and Research Center (SEREC) has called for the reinstatement of 1 per cent Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme (CISS) levy and legislative review of 4 per cent Free-on-Board (FOB) levy recently suspended by the Ministry of Finance.
In a press statement issued and signed by Head of Research, SEREC, Eugene Nweke, said that there is need for policy stability, clear, consistent directives that will safeguard revenue, build stakeholder trust, and strengthen Nigeria’s trade environment.
Nweke said that SEREC welcomes the suspension of the 4 per cent Free-on-Board (FOB) levy by the Federal Ministry of Finance, but cautions that the directive amounts to only a temporary pause since the levy remains enshrined in the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
“To ensure clarity and stability in trade administration, SEREC recommends reinstating the 1 per cent Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme (CISS) levy as an interim measure, while government engages the National Assembly to amend the law and align statutory provisions with stakeholder-accepted revenue options,” he added.
He explained that the current suspension of 4 per cent FOB, without reinstating the 1 per cent CISS, creates a policy vacuum that may disrupt revenue flow and confuse stakeholders, as the an official suspension circular from the NCS management team to area comptrollers and their respective area project manager, saying APM /technical supervisors -TS has not been communicated.
According to him, a consistent, transparent approach will safeguard revenue, sustain Customs modernisation, and strengthen Nigeria’s trade environment.
However, he recommended that there is need for officially reinstate the 1 per cent CISS levy as an interim funding mechanism, given that industry stakeholders have expressed no objection to it.
“Initiate legislative engagement with the National Assembly to review and amend the NCS Act, thereby aligning statutory provisions with practical and stakeholder-accepted revenue measures.
“Communicate clearly with the trading community to avoid uncertainty, sustain trust, and ensure smooth Customs modernization efforts,” he explained.
He said while the suspension reflects government responsiveness to stakeholder concerns, coherent fiscal administration requires that revenue directives be consistent, transparent, and legally grounded.
“A synchronised approach-suspending 4 per cent FOB, reinstating 1 per cent CISS, and initiating statutory amendment—will preserve policy credibility, support Customs modernisation, and enhance Nigeria’s trade environment.
